Dobbins and Oregon House Lifestyle

 

It's a lifestyle choice! We live far away from a major general store and do not have the luxury of running to the store for incidental groceries, personal or household items. Having a pantry stocked with items of necessity is a good idea. More than that, we live in an area where, let’s not think about it, due to mandatory evacuation or shelter-in-place orders, we might need to dig into our stash of supplies to survive for a short while.

We tend to be homesteaders or people who stay prepared for disasters or other harmful events, such as human or wild animal predators.

When you live in Dobbins or Oregon House, you will quickly become aware of the need to be self-reliant for essential living experiences. Some of the first things I learned to do are the following.

·       Get a generator
For those occasions when there is a power outage due to weather or electrical maintenance and the power is off for long periods of time.

·       Become a homesteader
It is always a good idea to be prepared for disaster. There may be times when we may be asked to shelter in place or simply are unable to get to a major supply center. Homesteading means that we are prepared for physical, medical, and shelter needs.

·       Maintain a Food Pantry
For the reasons stated above. We may not be able to venture into town for supplies.

·       Grow a fruit and vegetable Garden
Fresh produce is always a treat. Plus, we grow food for survival and sharing.

·       Raise livestock
Many people in the area raise livestock for grazing to keep their home fire-hardened and for milk and protein goods.

·        Get a dog or two
Dogs make excellent companions and herders for our livestock. Plus, dogs bark to alert us when predators are nearby.

·       Get feral cats
Feral cats are good for keeping the rodent population in check.

·       Beware of Wild Animals
We live in the wilderness, so it should be expected that we will see wild animals such as bears, mountain lions, foxes, badgers, deer, and coyotes roaming around. Learn to stay away from them and, more importantly, learn to avoid doing things that attract them. In other words, do not leave food out for them.

·       Obtain and learn to use a protective weapon
No one wants to think about having to use a weapon on anyone or anything; however, living in the wilderness means that we need to have some sort of protection against predators. Be aware that many people have and are trained to use rifles and shotguns in this area.

History

Dobbins

People began settling into Dobbins in 1849, and the town was initially named for William M. and Mark D. Dobbins. The town started as a farm town and later became a mining town with stage stops for teamsters and their wagons. Once automobiles became the mode of transportation, stage stops were no longer needed. Our post office was established two years after being settled. It closed after three years of operation and then reopened in 1887.

Oregon House

In 1882, a travelers’ rest stop was built, which was the reason for Oregon House. This little town established its post office in 1854, which closed in 1902 before reopening in 1903.

There are historic landmarks dispersed throughout the cities. These landmarks are a reminder that these towns are rich with historical value.

Diversity

Dobbins and Oregon House are cities of diverse and exciting talents. Our cities are home to writers, musicians, and comedians.

How can anyone claim to be bored when there are so many exciting things to do in and around this area? Between Bullard’s Bar, Lake Francis, and Collins Lake, we can choose boating and other water sports such as kayaking, swimming, water skiing, fishing, and even panhandling for gold.

Grocery Shopping and Dining

Our country store serves us well. You will find an abundant selection of sundries. Prices, in my opinion, might be a little high. Still, we are paying for the convenience of having a place to shop for necessary items until we can make it into what we call “town,” also known as Marysville or Yuba City.

Two of our local restaurants, Clover Cafe and Cafe Collage serve a delightful array of delectable dishes. Their cuisine is fit for the palates of a royal command. Finer dining cannot be found anywhere else, and folks, if you are a coffee connoisseur, you must indulge in a cup of coffee while you are there. I hear they only buy the best quality beans.

The Mexican food truck is a favorite. Stop by Mi Ranchito Taqueria (in the ACE parking lot on Willow Glen Rd).

Wineries and Vineyards

For wine connoisseurs, you will be happy to discover wineries and vineyards of the highest class. The wines of our region have received notoriety from around the world.

In Dobbins, we have Lucero Vineyards; in Oregon House, we have the Renaissance Vineyard and Winery and Clos Saron. You have undoubtedly heard of them.

Community of Compassion

We are a community of compassionate people where everyone watches out for one another. The language of love is spoken through the kindness and generosity that abounds in this place.

When my husband and I first moved to Dobbins, we were greeted with an abundance of welcoming warmth. Neighbors became immediate friends who poured out generous offerings of help and guidance on everything we needed to know about living here.

Forewarning, this is an overwhelmingly Republican region, so beware if you favor a different flavor.

An Ideal Place to Live

We live in an ideal setting for someone wanting to escape a hectic lifestyle. In Dobbins, we enjoy the quaintness of a small-town atmosphere in a Tahoe-like setting of a redwood forest. Or, if you like the good old-fashioned country style, Oregon House would be more to your liking. Either way, I must say, if you are considering moving to either location, be prepared for a lifestyle worth living.

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